Kitchen exhaust hood assembly having components secured together by threaded studs

ABSTRACT

A kitchen exhaust hood assembly comprises a front subassembly and a rear subassembly connected together. The connected subassemblies including a top portion and opposed side surfaces. A pair of side panels is connected to opposed sides of the front and rear subassemblies. A series of threaded studs welded to either the front or rear subassemblies or to the side panels project into and through openings formed through either the front or rear subassemblies or the side panels such that the side panels are secured to the front and rear subassemblies secured to the threaded studs.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to commercial kitchen exhaust hoods andthe construction thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kitchen exhaust hoods are utilized to exhaust air including smoke andgrease from a kitchen area. In restaurant environments, kitchen exhausthoods are of a commercial quality and are designed to handle substantialvolumes of air. Generally a kitchen exhaust hood would include a top, asurrounding sidewall structure and an open bottom. Formed inside thekitchen exhaust hood is a grease containment area, which ordinarily willinclude a filter for filtering the exhaust air as it passes through thegrease confinement area. Of course, the top of the hood is at leastpartially open and connects to a duct. An exhaust fan is typicallyprovided in the duct or outside of the structure for inducing air fromthe kitchen, through the exhaust hood and into the duct.

Kitchen exhaust hoods are typically constructed of stainless steel. Theyinclude a series of subassemblies that are generally welded or fastenedby other conventional means. Exhaust hood assemblies are often expensivebecause of the labor requirements to manufacture them and because of thecost of materials.

It is also desirable that exhaust hood designs be clean and smooth,especially from the exterior. In the past, many construction techniquesutilized in fabricating exhaust hoods have involved procedures whereweld seams are visible about the exterior surfaces of the hood. Thisdetracts from the overall appearance and perhaps the marketability ofexhaust hoods.

Therefore, there has been and continues to be a need for an exhaust hooddesign that facilitates an efficient fabrication and which, at the sametime, yields a pleasing appearance that from the exterior, at least, isfree of many weldment seams.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a kitchen exhaust assembly having frontand rear subassemblies. Rear subassembly is secured to the frontsubassembly and together the subassemblies include a top portion andopposed side surfaces. A pair of side panels is adapted to be connectedto the front and rear subassemblies. To secure the side panels to thefront and rear subassemblies, there is provided a series of threadedstuds welded to either the front and rear subassemblies or to the sidepanels and projecting therefrom into and through openings formed ineither the front and rear subassemblies or the side panels. To securethe side panels to the front and rear subassemblies, fasteners areprovided that thread onto the threaded studs.

Further the present invention entails a method of fabricating a kitchenexhaust hood. This method entails forming front and rear subassembliesand securing the front and rear subassemblies together. A pair of sidepanels is adapted to be secured to the front and rear subassemblies. Tosecure the side panels to the front and rear subassemblies, the methodentails securing a series of threaded studs by weldment to either thefront or rear subassemblies or to the side panels and projecting thethreaded studs therefrom into and through openings formed in either thefront or rear subassemblies or the side panels. The method furtherincludes securing fasteners to the threaded studs so as to retain theside panels about the exhaust hood assembly.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the exhausthood assembly includes a sealed grease containment area. This sealedgrease containment area is formed in part by a subassembly that isdesigned to receive and hold a filter through which air is exhausted inthe course of air passing through the exhaust hood.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent and obvious from a study of the following description and theaccompanying drawings, which are merely illustrative of such invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the kitchen exhaust hood of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the front and rearsubassemblies of the exhaust hood and illustrating how one side panelattaches to the front and rear subassemblies.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the rear subassembly.

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a side panelbeing secured to the hood assembly.

FIG. 3B is a fragmentary perspective view, similar to FIG. 3A, butshowing a side panel secured to the hood assembly.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the line 4-4 ofFIG. 3B.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration showing the hood assembly of thepresent invention secured in a kitchen area.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

With further reference to the drawings, the kitchen hoods assembly ofthe present invention is shown therein and indicated generally by thenumeral 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, kitchen hood assembly 10 comprisesa number of subassemblies including a first subassembly indicatedgenerally by the numeral 12 and a second subassembly indicated generallyby the numeral 14. For purposes of reference, the first subassembly 12is referred to as a front subassembly while the second subassembly 14 isreferred to as a rear subassembly. Sometimes the front and rearsubassemblies 12 and 14 are together referred as an inner framestructure.

Turning first to the front subassembly 12, it comprises a center panel16. Center panel 16, in one embodiment, is stamped or otherwise bentsuch that it includes a number of surfaces that lie at angles withrespect to adjacent surfaces. Note, for example, that the lower portionof the center panel 16, as shown in FIG. 2, assumes a generally V-shape.Further, an end portion of the center panel is bent or angled such thatit forms a top portion 16A of the hood assembly 10. FIG. 4 shows afragmentary sectional view of a portion of the top of the hood assembly.Note in FIG. 4 where the top portion 16A includes an end flange 18. Inparticular, the end flange 18 comprises an angled strip or a half T thatextends up.

Front subassembly 12 includes side surfaces disposed on each sidethereof that, as will be discussed later, lie generally adjacent sidepanels to be discussed subsequently herein. In any event, in FIG. 2, theside surfaces of the front subassembly 12 include a pair of plates 20.Plates 20 are secured and sealed to the center panel 16 by weldment.Note that each plate 20 assumes an irregular shape and projectsoutwardly or forwardly from panel 16. A series of openings 22 are formedin each plate, and as will be explained later, these openings serve toreceive threaded studs that are welded to the side panels, which again,will be subsequently described herein.

Turning to rear subassembly 14, this subassembly includes a center panel24. Center panel 24 is also irregularly shaped and extends upwardlyalong the back of the rear subassembly 14 and turns to where a portionof the center panel forms a top portion 24A of the hood assembly. Rearsubassembly 14 is reinforced by a series of laterally spaced ribs orreinforcing members 26. See FIG. 2A. A cross bar 28 extends across theupper back portion of the subassembly such that upper portions of theribs 26 lie between the cross bar 28 and the center panel 24.

Like front subassembly 12, rear subassembly 14 includes side surfaces.In this case the side surfaces comprise opposed plates 30. Each plate 30in this design assumes a generally triangular configuration. Formedaround a portion of the border of the plates 30 is a series of openings32 which, like the openings 22 in the plates 20, serves to receivethreaded studs that are welded, in this design, to the side panels.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, rear subassembly 14 includes a greaseconfinement area that is indicated generally by the numeral 40. Greaseconfinement area 40 is formed by transverse bottom panel 42 and a likeupper panel 44. Panels 42 and 44 are vertically spaced apart and definean opening therebetween. Grease confinement area 40 is designed toreceive a filter 46, which fits across the opening defined by panels 42and 44. Bottom panel 42 and center panel 24 define a transverse troughin the lower rear corner of the hood assembly 10. As with conventionalhoods, grease accumulates in the trough and is expelled through thetrough through a dispensing tube 48 that includes an outlet thatterminates over a grease cup 50. See FIGS. 1 and 5.

To secure the front and rear subassemblies 12 and 14 together, there isprovided a pair of side members 60. Side members 60, in this embodiment,are in the form of a pair of generally L-shaped or angled rails. Bothhorizontal and vertical portions of the respective rails include aseries of openings 62. The assembly formed by securing the front andrear assemblies 12 and 14 together further include an intermediate toppanel 64 as shown in FIG. 2. Note that intermediate top panel 64 isdisposed between top portions 16A associated with the front subassembly12 and top panel or top portion 24A associated with rear subassembly 14.In any event, the side members 60 are secured to the top portions orpanels 16A, 64 and 24A. Consequently, side members 60 serve tointerconnect or secure together the front and rear subassemblies 12 and14. In this particular case, there is provided a series of threadedstuds 68 that are welded to the outer edges of the panel 16A, 64 and24A. These three studs 68 project upwardly therefrom through openingswithin the horizontal portion or lower portion of the L-shaped sidemembers 60. See FIG. 4. A securing nut 70 is threaded onto each threadedstud 68 so as to secure the side members or side rails 60 to the frontand rear subassemblies 12 and 14 as well as to the intermediate panel64.

Intermediate panel 64 includes a flange 66, as shown in FIG. 4. Flange66 is similar to flange 18 associated with the top portion 16A. Flanges18 and 66 are disposed in back to back relationship. Flanges 18 and 66are secured or retained together by a retainer 72. Note that retainer 72assumes a generally C-shape and can be threaded from one end over theupper portions of the flanges 18 and 66. Although the drawings in FIG. 4schematically show a loose connection, the retainer 72 can fit tightlyaround the flanges 18 and 66 so as to secure them together.

As seen in FIG. 2, there is formed an opening that is indicatedgenerally by the numeral 80. Opening 80 lies generally between theplates 20 and 32 of the first and second subassemblies 12 and 14. Tocover this area of the hood assembly, there is provided a pair of sidepanels 82. One side panel 82 is designed to fit adjacent one side of theconnected subassemblies of FIG. 2, while another side panel 82 isdesigned to fit adjacent the other side. In this case, each side panel82 includes an innerface and projecting inwardly from the innerface is aseries of threaded studs 84. Threaded studs 84 are welded to perimeterportions of each side panel 82. Threaded studs 84 are particularlyspaced so as to align with openings in the side members 60 and therespective plates 20 and 32 discussed above. Once the threaded studs 84are projected through the openings 62 and 22 of the side member 60 andplates 20 and 32, a series of nuts 86 are secured onto the threadedstuds so as to securely fasten the two side panels 82 to the hoodassembly.

It is also advantageous to seal the hood assembly 10. Accordingly, asillustrated in FIG. 3A, a bead of caulk 98 is extended around theperimeter of the innerface of the respective side panels 82. Thus, whenthe side panels 82 are secured in place the bead of caulk 98 forms agenerally airtight seal between the panels 82 and the plates 20 and 30.

In order to facilitate the passing of exhaust air through the exhausthood 10, an exhaust opening 94 is cut into the top of the hood assembly10. See FIG. 2. Opening 94 is communicatively connected to a duct 96that would extend from the top portion of the hood assembly 10 to anexterior area of the building. See FIG. 5.

To provide a finished appearance to hood assembly 10, a front panel 90is secured across the front of the front subassembly 12. Front panel 90can be secured in various ways to the hood assembly, but in oneembodiment the front panel 90 would be welded to the front subassembly12.

In order to suspend the hood assembly 10 from a ceiling or otheroverhead support structures, the top portion of the hood assembly can beprovided with a series of hanger clips 92 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

From the foregoing discussion, it is seen that the present inventionentails a kitchen exhaust hood assembly that includes a number ofsubassemblies that are secured together through the use of threadedstuds welded to components of the hood assembly and projecting therefromthrough adjacent openings of other components. This technique orprocedure for fabrication increases the efficiency of constructing andassembling the hood assembly, and provides a clean and smooth exteriorsurface for the hood assembly. Thus, weldment seams are minimized on theexterior of the hood assembly 10, giving rise to a pleasing, aestheticappearance. In addition, the design provides for a sealed and airtighthood assembly including a sealed and generally airtight greasecompartment. Various materials can be used for the hood assembly 10, butin one embodiment it is contemplated that the components andsubassemblies would be constructed of stainless steel.

The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specificways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope andthe essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodimentsare therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative and notrestrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalencyrange of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

1. A kitchen exhaust hood assembly, comprising: a. a front subassembly;b. a rear subassembly; c. the front and rear subassemblies being securedtogether and including a top portion and opposed side surfaces; d. apair of side panels adapted to be connected to the front and rearsubassemblies; e. a series of threaded studs welded to either the frontor rear subassemblies or to the side panels and projecting therefrominto and through openings formed in either the front and rearsubassemblies or the side panels; and f. the side panels being securedto the front and rear subassemblies by fasteners secured to the threadedstuds:
 2. The kitchen exhaust hood of claim 1 including a caulk seaminterposed between the front and rear subassemblies and the side panels.3. The kitchen exhaust hood of claim 1 wherein the threaded studs arewelded to the side panels and project therefrom.
 4. The kitchen exhausthood of claim 3 wherein the threaded studs extend generally normal withrespect to the plane of the side panels.
 5. The kitchen exhaust hood ofclaim 1 wherein the rear subassembly includes a grease containment areaand wherein the grease containment area is sealed.
 6. The exhaust hoodof claim 1 wherein the side surfaces of the front and rear subassembliesincludes side surfaces associated with both the front and the rearsubassemblies.
 7. The exhaust hood of claim 1 wherein the side surfacesof the front and rear subassemblies includes the openings through whichthe threaded studs project, and wherein the threaded studs project fromthe side panels.
 8. The kitchen exhaust hood of claim 1 including a pairof side members that interconnect the front and rear subassemblies. 9.The kitchen exhaust hood of claim 8 wherein the side members include apair of rails.
 10. The kitchen exhaust hood of claim 8 including aseries of generally vertically disposed threaded studs for securing theside members to the front and rear assemblies.
 11. The kitchen exhausthood of claim 1 wherein the rear assembly includes a sealed greasecompartment.
 12. The kitchen exhaust hood of claim 1 including a frontpanel extending across the front of the front subassembly.
 13. Thekitchen exhaust hood of claim 1 wherein the front and rear subassemblieseach include a top panel and wherein each top panel includes a flangeassociated therewith, and wherein when the front and rear subassembliesare secured together the respective flanges lie adjacent each other; anda retainer for holding the flanges.
 14. The kitchen exhaust hood ofclaim 13 wherein each flange includes an elongated angle strip andwherein the angle strips of the two flanges lie back to back.
 15. Thekitchen exhaust hood of claim 14 wherein the retainer extends aroundportions of the angle strips.
 16. The kitchen exhaust hood of claim 1wherein the rear subassembly includes a back wall and wherein the backwall is reinforced by a series of spaced apart ribs.
 17. The kitchenexhaust hood assembly of claim 1 wherein the side surfaces comprise atleast two side panels disposed on each side of the front and rearsubassemblies and wherein there is formed a side opening between the twoside plates on each side of the front and rear subassemblies.
 18. Thekitchen exhaust hood assembly of claim 17 wherein the side panels aresecured flush against the two side plates disposed on each side of thefront and rear subassemblies.
 19. A method of fabricating a kitchen hoodassembly comprising: a. connecting front and rear subassemblies; b.securing a pair of side panels to the front and rear subassemblies; c.wherein connecting the side panels to the front and rear subassembliesincludes welding to either the front or rear subassemblies or to theside panels a series of threaded studs and projecting the threaded studsinto and through openings formed in either the front or rearsubassemblies or the side panels; and d. securing fasteners to the studsso as to secure the side panels.
 20. The method of claim 19 includingplacing a caulk seam between the side panels and the front and rearsubassemblies.
 21. The method of claim 19 including sealing innerfacesbetween the side panels and the front and rear subassemblies.
 22. Themethod of claim 19 including welding the studs to the side panels suchthat the threaded studs project from the side panels.
 23. The method ofclaim 19 including forming a grease compartment in the hood assembly andgenerally sealing areas of the grease compartment where components ofthe hood assembly innerface.
 24. The method of claim 19 includingsecuring the front and rear subassemblies together by securing a pair ofside members to both the front and rear subassemblies.
 25. The method ofclaim 24 wherein the side members include a pair of side rails.
 26. Themethod of claim 24 including projecting the threaded studs throughopenings formed in the side members for the purpose of at leastpartially securing the front and rear subassemblies to the side members.27. The method of claim 19 including forming the rear subassemblies suchthat the same includes a central panel that includes a plurality ofsurfaces that extend at angles with respect to adjacent surfaces; andreinforcing the rear subassembly by securing spaced apart ribs adjacentthe center panel.
 28. A method of fabricating a kitchen hood assemblycomprising: securing a series of components together to form a kitchenhood assembly having a surrounding sidewall structure, a top and an openbottom; welding a series of threaded studs to various components of thehood assembly and projecting the threaded studs through openings formedin other components of the hood assembly; and securing variouscomponents together by securing fasteners to the threaded studs whereincomponents of the hood assembly are secured together by the weldedthreaded studs projecting through various openings.
 29. The method ofclaim 28 wherein the hood assembly includes a pair of side panels witheach side panel having an inner surface having a series of the threadedstuds welded about an innerface thereof and projecting inwardlytherefrom through openings formed in other components such that the sidepanels can be secured in part, at least, by the threaded studsprojecting therefrom.
 30. The method of claim 29 wherein the hoodassembly further includes an inner frame structure onto which the sidepanels are secured and wherein the inner frame structure includes aseries of openings through which the threaded studs project, and whereinthere is provided a series of threaded nuts that are secured to thethreaded studs for securing the side panels to the inner framestructure.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the inner frame structureincludes front and rear subassemblies.
 32. The method of claim 31including securing a pair of rails to the front and rear subassembliesthat at least partially connect the front and rear subassembliestogether.